New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-05-22
A SCHEME ToR A VOLUNTEER NAVY.

To the Edftor Of Tn, Trfsune
SIR: The proposed scheme of an auxiliary navy
under the official authority Of Congress-, which, by the
way. was fret suggested by Secretary of the Navy
Chandler nearly tour years ago in an order TO the
Board OF Naval Inspection ut New-York TO report
upon such vessels OF the merchant marine as might DC
utilized cruisers, torpedoboats, dispatch-boats ana
hospital ships, has had q marked effect in the East
Indies Recently there sent TO the British Board
Of Admiralty from Calcutta, the metropolis OF British
India . somewhat interesting scheme OF practical
way in which officers aud sailors of the British
merchant marine may be made available as the per
sonnet OF the an Hillary navy in time OF war
The scheme has many novel aud amusing features
One suggestion is that the Beard OF Admiralty provide
suitable places Tor naval volunteer drill in every
British port where there would be sufficient amount
of Shipping 70 warrant IT, and that arrangements
should lie made by which the of any naval battery
or corps could put in their OF drills portions
OF their course al any British colonial port OF nny
consequence in the world. The only body OF men
approaching to volunteer naval force of treat
Britain whose duties the beyond the boundaries
of hnrbor arc the Royal Naval Reserves who have TO
report themselves at headquarters in England every
wear The aUthOr OF the proposed scheme sent fom
Calcutta is sanguine OF it, ultimate success ana NO
suggests that facilities might be given at every oentre
whether in England India. Australia. or In China lot
| men to enroll themselves in any corps they might
select; each 50 Joining 10 receive an enrolment
card register which to note his drils, anu tis
enrolment card 10 be recognized rs certhcate anu
pres ented 10 tho local centre OF any volunteer port ne
should aiterward visit. aud there resume his trhis
At the end OF the wear the card or register Wouu 20
sent to the general headquarters 20 be put on record 10
| the individuals credit. As srms, ammunition ana
drilling places practically in existence at most
British ports the prepayment OF fhe scheme thinks t1s
tao chief expense would he for uniforms only he
suggests that the uuform might be Of snch an IN
assuming character that II might be worn In eVetyu
| work and provided by the wearer.
This is bAre outline OF the scheme. and 1t looks
well-cn paper. The ohict difficulty to us success
would IN be the lack of motive Tor the ordinary
sailor to Join torce voluntarily. All seatarinS
peorle will bear witness that sailors lue IL an e1
ceedingly monotonous one, and after apending weeks
and month"; away from friends sHd home on the lust
less sea- with only his less than score OF sailor com
papi,ns and iail7 he OF hardship. he will hardly be
disposed to turn his attention TO learning how 10
| march, TO form platoOns and sections, 10 doaDle,
quick TO handle small and great guns. jack VIII
naturally seek ovial companions and amusements on
! shore which are not oil nature to'eommend them
! selves to philsnihropists costume OF an unas-
suring character" will not attract the sailor 10 the
| duties OF n soldier but q little extra pay and n
iolersbly snowy uniform might be an inducement 10
him during peace times. Z. s.
Singapore April 2. 1857.